Nagpur bans new borewells and deepening of old ones until further orders amid water shortage fears

Digging a new borewell or deepening an existing one is now prohibited in Nagpur district. District Collector Kumar Ashirwad has issued an order to this effect, and the ban will remain in force until further orders. The order applies to both urban and rural areas of the district.

The reason given is that rainfall in the district has been inadequate and stocks in water projects are very low, raising fears of a water crisis ahead. The decision has been taken as a precaution to protect groundwater sources, reduce additional pressure on public drinking water sources and prevent the crisis from worsening in the coming days.

Some work is exempt from the ban. Borewell drilling for domestic water use, flushing of old borewells, and drilling for drinking water and water scarcity relief will not be restricted. Such work carried out through contractors under work orders from government agencies is also exempt.

Apart from the exempt work, all borewell drilling under way, and all work to deepen existing borewells, has been ordered to stop immediately. It has also been directed that no borewell be left open or in an unsafe condition after drilling is halted.

Borewell contractors, rig owners and machine operators have been told not to take up or start any prohibited drilling during the ban. Those carrying out government water scarcity relief work must keep a copy of the relevant work order at the site.

Responsibility for catching clandestine drilling has also been fixed. Tehsildars have been asked to coordinate with the police department, local bodies and the Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency to inspect prohibited drilling. Officials of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, municipal councils, nagar panchayats and panchayat samitis must pass the order on to their wards, gram panchayats and field staff and ensure it is strictly followed. Patwaris and gram sevaks have been told to inform the concerned tehsildar immediately if they see prohibited drilling anywhere.

If information is received that borewell drilling has begun in violation of the ban, the competent authorities must have the work stopped at once. They must prepare a panchnama of the site, take photographs and record details of the owner, the contractor and the machine operator. Strict legal action will be taken against those who violate the order and those who obstruct its implementation.